Earthwatch Traditional Ecological Knowledge Grant

The Earthwatch Traditional Ecological Knowledge Grant supports innovative research that integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with Western scientific processes. This initiative invites proposals from Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers to address pressing environmental challenges across diverse ecosystems. By fostering collaboration among communities, NGOs, and scientists, the grant aims to promote sustainability and enhance public awareness of ecological issues. Projects focused on biodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and ecological restoration are particularly encouraged.

NOTE: We will not be soliciting research pre-proposals/proposals at this time. We are hopeful that we can relaunch our RFP process later in 2025 for new projects to begin in 2027 .
Background
Since its founding in 1971, Earthwatch has been taking action to address global change through a time-tested model of citizen science and community engagement. By pairing volunteers from all sectors of society with researchers around the world, Earthwatch teams have helped to safeguard critical habitats, conserve biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Earthwatch Traditional Ecological Knowledge RFP invites pre-proposals for research from Indigenous researchers and non-Indigenous collaborators for projects that will incorporate TEK, “Western” scientific process, and participatory or community-based science into this single Braided Knowledge System. With this model, we seek to support projects that take measurable action to address global change in agricultural, coastal, wetland, grassland and forest ecosystems by:
Increasing this Braided Knowledge System and public awareness of environmental challenges, while providing locally relevant solutions and actions;Increasing partnerships among local peoples, Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and corporations at local and international levels; andInforming management plans and environmental policies.
We invite pre-proposals for field-based research by qualified scientists on the following topics:
Restoring native species of plants and animals that are of high cultural value, such as bison, salmon, herring, shellfish, loons, important plants, and apex predators;Native seed programs and invasive species control;Food-web relationships driven by pollinators, apex predators, and herbivores, and their effects on ecosystem productivity, resiliency, and biodiversity;Determining how climate-change impacts on agriculture, coastal areas, and forestry systems effect water availability and quality, nutrient flow, maintenance of species diversity, and carbon sequestration;Climate-smart agriculture (food security and climate change);Soil conservation and health, soil carbon restoration, and soil erosion control;Human-wildlife coexistence, including noninvasive pest control and reduction of wildlife damage to crops and forests; andEcological restoration, with a focus on repairing the damage humans have done to ecosystems through colonialism.

Eligibility

All pre-proposals must be submitted by the PI, who is also expected to hold full scientific oversight over the field research.The lead PI, or at least one member of the research team, must have a Ph.D. in the area of the proposed research and an affiliation with a university, government or tribal agency, or science-focused NGO.To fit our citizen-science model, unless otherwise stated in the request for proposals, all proposed projects must:
Have quantifiable goals and measurable impacts of action taken by the project;Have a 3-year or longer duration (longer-term research will receive priority support);Incorporate field-based research and data collection, with participants sufficiently trained while in the field;Have data gathered primarily by citizen-scientist participants recruited by Earthwatch;Field a minimum of four (4) research teams per year (the average project fields 6-8 teams per year), with 4–15 participants per team as needed for data collection;Field research teams are typically 7–9 days in length, with some projects hosting 10–14-day teams;Provide reputable housing for volunteers within a 45-minute drive from site;Field adult, high school and college student, teacher, and/or corporate groups;Be run in English, with all communications by field staff and supporting documents in English;Educate volunteers about the project’s science and its relevance to global priorities;Prioritize locally run vendors, partners and businesses in preparing field logistics (including food), with a focus on those that adhere to sustainable business practices;Collaborate with local community stakeholders through engagement, outreach and contributions to conservation actions.We fund the following field expenses:Food and housing for PIs/co-PIs, field technicians, and Earthwatch participantsSupport staff (including: cooks, logistics coordinators, wildlife guards, drivers, etc.)Field techniciansParticipant field transportationPI and co-PI transport to the fieldField equipment and supplies

Ineligibility

We are not able to fund the following:

• Scientist salaries
• Student tuition
• Institutional overhead
• Capital equipment
• Post-fielding data analysis